Lionel Messi was held out of Inter Miami’s match against Charlotte last Saturday, as the team played to a scoreless draw although navigating a busy schedule of MLS and Concachampions matches. It marked the second consecutive game Inter Miami finished without a goal.
Manager Javier Mascherano rested most of his starters for the road contest, and surprisingly, Messi wasn’t even on the bench. This decision came despite Messi’s usual desire to maintain consistent match fitness. The move appears to have been a strategic one, conserving his energy for upcoming decisive matches.
Messi recently scored his 900th career goal in a match against Nashville SC, [joining Cristiano Ronaldo in an exclusive club](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1gFBVV95cUxQb2M1Z05pVVV0bThnQTg2MEtCN3ZkdEFwOFlka1NzOWpDcjB2NHlucm5EeVEyMjZzd2N2UFFLb3VsM2VPV3lRWTBSZnU2Vlh1bEV2Zl9DUVVwcjRhRzdORG5QcGc0QzhSWGR4V3hqblVJRHg5aDVSNG82Rlo5M3RKd3NBaWNqSjNyZE1WdzEzTjNaaVVKX0hPZnJ6UF9qRHVMOFRvMC11bnhQOFNDRmpoY2pNR096VW04VU9HMVAtazNiRzdHUjhid1pJVjc2TUNKZjlTZVJB?oc=5), as reported by WPLG Local 10. The scoreless draw against Charlotte followed a similar result in their previous match, highlighting a recent offensive challenge for Inter Miami. [Messi’s status was a key topic leading up to the game](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi3wFBVV95cUxOSEJ4THVvY0F1cjV5bnUxUXMzVHBPUHFMckFKdmJFcjhTQXZ2UGh6UjVZa1pIMElwcUIzbGlJU3dJanlFdXJ6Qjl2QXB6akZ6UWJnMHVYZW5jNmhNdHNEWHBYaVM0Tmt3UFJ3OUVHaXYyOHpzcnpqSXRGbU5oTWtId3c4ZFVLdHFkd1A2WUlOYkhJMjhueWpPblgtVGFxR0wwY0ZNSlFpNUN4UmZsMVBPYWV3VmEwOHQxR0pfQ1QtWDVnNzNIdkxPQjV3WGJCeVB4YTllRjk0QWtibW1KbmNJ?oc=5), according to The Tennessean. [He also recently scored in a match against Nashville SC](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0gFBVV95cUxNTmZoM2FHUzFtYkZfQzRRd0NUYm5pSTlpVXFSaG9qNDdFdHB1WXZHa1RZblBSaG1QWFhpYy0wYkxGQ2JMTHNRdTBOYzdlaGRYYXNmZVBKLWFlNk9KOFhZbERjd1dIOXkxbVphZTZ4a0JSNjh4aC1tY0ZtT1RUMTM0a2JFdWhEUU03aDBqM0VoZzRnTzZIT2DONUtDdkZDa0pSdDJ2YmtYZTJQRHQ4cHNJRTBmS2JDenlKT2ZYV0txT0c1ejduR3NacDhDSW5EZmF0b0E?oc=5), marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
